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EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Notes

July 12, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Game #94 - Road Game #47 - Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 7:05 P.M.

Akron Aeros (59-34) at Reading Phillies (38-54)

Cleveland Indians Philadelphia Phillies

Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Kevin Dixon (7-5, 4.28 ERA)

Reading - RHP Brett Myers (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Upcoming Probables:

Sunday: AKR LHP Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.64 ERA) at REA RHP J.D. Durbin (4-4, 2.45 ERA)

Monday: AKR LHP Scott Lewis (4-2, 4.37 ERA) at REA RHP Tyson Brummett (1-3, 4.81 ERA)

Tuesday: EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR BREAK

Wednesday: EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR BREAK

The Book on Kevin Dixon...

1B- High Strikeouts - 9, set 5/30 vs. Bowie - Most Hits Allowed - 9, set 4/30 vs. Erie

- Longest Outing - 8.0 IP, set 5/20 vs. Altoona - Most Walks Allowed - 5, set 4/19 at Bowie

- Shortest Outing - 2.1 IP, set 4/24 vs. Harrisburg - HR Allowed (Season) - 10

- Has turned in quality starts in five of his last six games, going 5-1 over that stretch with a 3.57 ERA

Leads the Aeros staff with 101.0 innings pitched this year, and has failed to go at least five innings just twice in 17 starts

Throws a four-seam fastball between 87-92 mph, as well as a sinker (two-seamer), changeup, slider and splitter

Aeros are 12-5 when Dixon starts

Last time out: Earned the WIN in a 4-2 victory at Binghamton 7/7 (7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 WP)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('08)

CURRENT STREAK - ................................................. W2 LONGEST WINNING STREAK - .......................... 10 (6/4 - 6/14)

LAST 5 GAMES - ......................................................... 4-1 LONGEST LOSING STREAK - 3 (5/2 - 5/4 and 6/24 (1) - 6/25) LAST 10 GAMES - ...................................................... 8-2 BEST RECORD - ................................................... 59-34 (July 11th)

HOME RECORD - ........................................................ 30-17 WORST RECORD - .............................................. 8-13 (April 25th)

ROAD RECORD - ........................................................ 29-17 SEASON vs. READING - .............................................................. 7-3

Aerodynamics...

Going Out With a Bang...Aeros LF Matt LaPorta, who in the handful of days since being acquired from Milwaukee as the centerpiece of the CC Sabathia trade has achieved rock star status at Canal Park, showed just why the Indians were so adamant about getting him in last night's 3-2 victory in Reading. LaPorta drove in all three Akron runs, blasted a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth for the winning margin, and made a spectacular leaping catch against the wall in left to save a run. A two-time SEC Player of the Year at the University of Florida, LaPorta has hit in all four games he's appeared in with the Aeros and is hitting .375 (6-16) with four RBI in those four games. Yesterday marked the last game he'll play for Akron for a few days, as he and 3B Wes Hodges both departed this morning for the XM Satellite Radio Futures Game at Yankee Stadium (televised Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN2). Both players will be back in the lineup Thursday night when the Aeros host the Erie SeaWolves in the opener of a four-game series at Canal Park.

Behind the Box Score...Although LaPorta's big blast garnered the headlines last night, it would never have come to that had SS Brandon Pinckney not received a gift from the baseball gods leading off the top of the ninth. Pinckney lifted closer Patrick Overholt's second offering into routine center field for what should have been the first out, but Reading centerfielder Greg Golson slipped as he moved to his right to make the catch, and the ball landed over his head for a gift double. Overholt recovered to strike out the next two batters, but the good fortune extended the inning for LaPorta, and we all know how that worked out for the Aeros.

Ryno Tough...Akron LHP Ryan Edell was fantastic again last night, turning in his fourth straight quality start and ninth overall, although the late dramatics relegated him to a no-decision. Edell allowed just a run on six hits over seven sterling innings, did not walk a soul, and set a new season-high with seven strikeouts. The seven Ks were the most for Edell in almost a full calendar year, as the native of Boston fanned a career-high nine last July 13th at Salem while pitching for Class A Kinston. Over his last four starts, Edell 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA, with 20 strikeouts and just one walk in 25.0 innings.

Welcome Back...The Aeros made a roster move today, as IF Chris de la Cruz came to the club from Class AAA Buffalo. De la Cruz began the season with Akron but found playing time hard to come by in a crowded infield, managing only 43 at-bats in the first month of the year. Since then he's shuttled between Buffalo and Kinston, hitting .140 (6-43) in 18 games with the Bisons and .316 (12-38) in 11 games with the K-Tribe.

Did You Know...The Aeros are a perfect 8-0 when Nathan Panther starts in centerfield.

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